80 Years of Stewardship: Honoring Our Roots, Shaping the Future

Some legacies are built quickly. Others are cultivated, season by season, decision by decision, through care, commitment, and trust. For eighty years, Hertz Farm Management has done just that: stewarding land, relationships, and family legacies with integrity and long-term vision.

On March 1, 1946, Carl Hertz opened the doors of Hertz Farm Management in Nevada, Iowa. Like many farmers and landowners of his generation, Carl understood the deep connection between land and family. He saw a growing need for trusted guidance, someone who could help landowners make thoughtful decisions not just for today, but for the generations who would follow.

From the beginning, Carl’s purpose was clear: to provide the highest level of service, advice, communication, and commitment with integrity and care. Eighty years later, that promise continues to guide everything Hertz does.

A Legacy Rooted in People

Those who knew Carl Hertz remember more than his professional expertise, they remember how he made people feel. He listened carefully. He treated people with respect. And he believed deeply that doing what was right mattered more than doing what was easy.

“My dad believed the most important thing was taking care of people,” said Randy Hertz, former CEO and now Executive Chair of Hertz Farm Management. “He taught us to listen first, to be client-focused, and to approach our work with humility and integrity.”

That mindset shaped Hertz Farm Management from the earliest days and became the foundation of a family business that has now spanned four generations.

“Our work has always been about more than managing land,” Randy shared. “It’s about helping families understand what they own, protect what matters to them, and make confident decisions—whether that’s keeping the farm in the family or navigating a transition.”

This people-first philosophy remains central to how Hertz serves landowners today. Farmland professionals work closely with families to understand their goals, values, and long-term intentions, recognizing that every farm story is different.

A Family Business, Then and Now

As Hertz Farm Management marks its 80th anniversary, it reflects on the principles that have guided its leadership across generations— stewardship of the land, trust in relationships, and a long-term perspective rooted in doing what’s right. These values have shaped how the company serves its clients and continue to guide its people today

That same commitment to values-driven leadership is evident in the work Hertz does with landowners across the country. “Our family has always believed that stewardship of the land, of relationships, and of trust, is something you carry forward, not something you own,” said Chad Hertz. By emphasizing thoughtful planning, stability, and clear communication, the team helps families make informed decisions with future generations in mind. It’s an approach grounded not only in experience, but in a deep respect for legacy and responsibility.

As part of that ongoing story, Hertz is excited to welcome the fourth generation of the Hertz family into the business. Chad’s daughter, Grace Knox, joined the team in January 2026 as an appraisal trainee, continuing the family’s tradition of learning the business from the ground up while carrying forward the values that define it.

Growing with Purpose

Over eight decades, Hertz Farm Management has evolved alongside agriculture itself. The industry has grown more complex, technology has advanced, and land ownership patterns have changed dramatically. Through it all, Hertz has adapted, expanding its expertise, services, and geographic reach, while remaining grounded in its original mission.

“What’s important isn’t just growth,” Chad explained. “It’s growing with purpose. Every decision we make is guided by asking, ‘How does this help us better serve landowners?’”

That focus has allowed Hertz to continue strengthening its team of professionals and investing in tools and insights that support smarter, more informed decision-making. Whether through data-driven analysis, modern farm management practices, or expanded advisory services, innovation at Hertz is always tied back to service.

“Our goal is never to replace relationships with technology,” Chad said. “It’s to enhance those relationships by giving our people and our clients better information and clearer insight.”

Preparing for the Next Generation

Just as Hertz works with families to plan for the future of their farmland, the company itself remains focused on preparing for the next generation of leadership, both within the organization and among the landowners it serves.

From mentoring professionals to encouraging continuous learning, Hertz is committed to building a team equipped for agriculture’s future while deeply respecting its past.

“Our responsibility is long-term,” Chad noted. “We’re thinking not just about today’s clients, but about their children and grandchildren, and making sure Hertz is here, steady and trusted, when they need us.”

That mindset, planning ahead, staying curious, and remaining adaptable, continues to position Hertz Farm Management to serve families for generations to come.

Looking Ahead with Confidence

Reaching 80 years is a milestone worth celebrating, but it’s also a call to look forward.

“What excites me most about this anniversary isn’t just what we’ve accomplished,” Chad said. “It’s imagining what the next 80 years can look like if we stay true to our values and remain committed to thoughtful stewardship.”

The future of Hertz Farm Management will continue to be shaped by the same principles Carl Hertz believed in from the beginning: integrity, care, and a deep respect for land and people alike.

Honoring the Past by Serving the Future

Carl Hertz lived the way he wanted to be remembered. He honored his commitments to his family, his clients, and his community. And he believed that trust, once earned, must be protected every day.

There is no better way to honor that legacy than to continue doing what Hertz Farm Management has always done best: take care of people, steward farmland responsibly, and help families make confident decisions about their future.

Eighty years in, Hertz remains deeply grateful to the landowners who put their trust in us, to the professionals who carry our mission forward, and to the generations of families who have shaped this journey alongside us.

As we celebrate this milestone, one thing is clear: the roots Carl planted in 1946 remain strong, and they continue to grow toward a future built on stewardship, service, and family.

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